Which is Better, Using an Ergonomic Chair or a Standing Desk?

When I first started trying to make my setup more ergonomic, I started searching for an ergonomic chair. In fact, you can find my entire journey (kept up to date here). Later on, though, the thought occurred to me that I could alleviate some stress and pain build up (from sitting WAY too long) if I had a setup where I could rotate through movements more instead of just sitting all day.

The only thing is that I heard standing all day was almost just as bad as sitting all day since both positions have limited movement and create stress on your joints. I had seen desks that could move up and down, which seems to be the best of both worlds, but these were all too expensive ranging upwards from $1000 or more! I forgot about this problem and just figured sitting in my office chair was “good enough,” but then an idea occurred to me. What If I could find a moveable standing desk that was affordable?

So began my search, and that’s where we are today. I have found a few affordable standing desks that are moveable so you can not only sit in your ergonomic chair but also stand at your standing desk.

Ergonomic Chair or Standing Desk?

I believe standing and sitting both, provides the best ergonomic solution since sitting too long (no matter how good your chair is) can make you stiff, but so can standing. So you can stand to stretch out and work hard, and you can sit down to rest and work even harder!

If you want an ergonomic office chair solution, check out this office chair guide here, or just go with our #1 rated chair (the Steelcase Leap) but stick around here for recommendations on moveable/adjustable standing desks.

The Ergo Elements Desk is a futuristic ergonomically designed desk that can be adjusted from 27” to 45” in height. You can operate and adjust the desk just with a push of a button on the side controller panel.

The main piece of the desk comes in three colors which are neat, and each finish is very durable and sleek since it’s micro-textured. Reviews are very positive on this desk, mentioning great customer service, and relatively easy assembly.

If you’re looking for a desk that looks more traditional but still performs well as an adjustable standing desk, you should check out the ApexDesk. While it’s slightly more expensive, you also get a bit more control.

The ApexDesk is height adjustable from 24” to 50”, has a 225LB capacity, easy assembly, and an American walnut base that looks sleek and sexy. The cutout and design of the wood are also very ergonomic. This desk also has some of the most consistent 5-star reviews on Amazon. Like the Ergo Elements Desk, you can also control the height with a control panel that has buttons.

If you don’t have the budget for an adjustable standing desk, I understand.

Maybe you’ll save up to buy one in the future, but for now, you could check out the Stand Steady Desk which is something you just put on your normal desk and then crank up to a certain height. It has a decent size surface, as well as a height range from 7 to 16 inches. It also doesn’t require assembly!

This could be GREAT for shorter users, but I worry that taller users won’t get the correct ergonomic height that the Ergo and Apex desks offer. It also looks a bit “too much” when compared to the more elegant (and thus more expensive) ergonomic adjustable standing desks.

Where’s the Cheap Stuff?

This is a great standing desk alternative for those that are broke or move around a lot. I wouldn’t recommend deconstructing it everytime you want to go to Starbucks (plus you’ll get a few stares) but its good to have at your home for a temporary solution (cardboard won’t last forever LOL).

There are a few other options on Amazon you could buy, but I don’t really want to recommend anything cheaper since these options are often so wobbly and poorly made that they don’t really provide a good desk experience for proper ergonomics.

Bonus (a picture of my setup)

At the time I was testing the Steelcase Gesture for a review (but I do not like that chair lol)

Tom Spark is a chair researcher, VPN expert, and a geek product extraordinaire. When he’s not spell checking his articles with Grammarly, he’s playing video games, watching too much Netflix, and deciding if he likes his current chair or not.